Return of the elk 🦌 Find a farmers market 🫐 New fire chief 🚒

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City of Portland Newsletter | July 8, 2025

People on bikes converge on Waterfront Park to have fun together.

Join the Bike Bus! Commute to downtown with the City Bike Bus every second Wednesday of the month through October. Brought to you by the Portland Bureau of Transportation.

In this issue

News: Return of the Elk
Opportunities: Meet your city councilors.
Events: Lloyd Live at the Dock.
Your Portland Moment: Farmers markets are bursting with flavor.

News

Construction on the Elk Fountain gets underway

The Portland Water Bureau has begun construction to bring back the city's beloved Thompson Elk Fountain. Later this summer, the team will prepare the site for a recirculating water pump—which could save more than 6.8 million gallons of water per year.

City taps Dallas assistant chief to lead Fire & Rescue

Lauren Johnson has been named the new chief of the Portland Fire & Rescue Bureau, marking one of the first long-term hires for a senior leadership position in the city’s new form of government. Johnson is currently serving as an assistant fire chief at the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, where she has worked for the past 26 years.

Big donors played smaller role in 2024 city elections

The Portland Elections Commission's latest report shows that the Small Donor Elections program significantly reduced the average size of campaign contributions to winning candidates, reflecting its ongoing impact on amplifying the role of everyday voters and shifting campaign funding away from large donors.

Data spotlight

Portlanders reported fireworks activity 4,300 times on the city’s new Report Fireworks form, including nearly 2,500 reports on the Fourth of July alone. The new system helped reduce calls to 911 and speed up call answer times, prioritizing emergency response for active fires, serious medical problems and other emergencies over the holiday weekend.

More news

Opportunities

Portland City Council

The Council works together to create laws that improve living, working, and learning in Portland. Meet your councilors. Find your district. Find out what's on the agenda. Get involved.

Have you been treated unfairly by the City of Portland?

The Ombudsman is here to make sure City government treats Portland residents and businesses fairly. We investigate complaints and identify ways to resolve them. As part of the elected City Auditor’s Office, we’re independent and impartial.

We're hiring! New job openings at the City

Recreation Associate
Inclusion Assistant
Community Police Officer
Facilities Maintenance Technician

Jobs at the City of Portland

Open Bids and Proposals

Grants and Funding

Make your voice heard

Give us your feedback

Residents and police officers attend a meeting in the Portland Building.

Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group

The Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group commenced in 2021 in response to the gun violence crisis in Portland to work with the Focused Intervention Team (FIT) and assist with recommendations to reduce gun violence through prevention, intervention, and response. Meeting Thursday, July 10.

Behavioral Health Unit Advisory Committee Community Engagement Meeting

Learn about the work of the Behavioral Health Unit Advisory Committee for the Portland Police Bureau. Meeting Thursday, July 10.

Proposed rules for public infrastructure projects in natural areas

Give feedback on the proposed rules for the Public Infrastructure Environmental Code Project. Submit written testimony or give verbal testimony at the Planning Commission Hearing on Tuesday, July 22.

Comment on the Portland Action Plan

Portland, Gresham, and Multnomah County are developing a housing action plan. We want your input. Weigh in by August 1.

Meetings

Check out upcoming public meetings.

Check out upcoming neighborhood and community meetings.

Events

Featured events

July 9: Lloyd Live: At the Dock

July 18: Cathedral Park Jazz Festival

July 19: Portland Pride Festival and Parade

More Great Events You Should Not Miss

Free events

July 9: July 9 City Bike Bus

July 9: Councilor Clark Constituent Event: Hayhurst

July 10: Bull Run Filtration: Neighbor Update Meeting (July 2025)

July 10: Concert in the Park: Son de Cuba

July 10: Movies in the Park: Guardians of the Galaxy

July 11: Concert in the Park: Norman Sylvester Band w. Lenanne Miller

July 11: Movies in the Park: The Sandlot

July 12: East Portland Neighborhood Bike Fair

July 12: Brentwood-Darlington Volunteer Event with Urban Forestry

July 12: East Portland Summer Arts Festival

July 15: City Councilors Walk (District 2) Hosted by Oregon Walks

July 15: Monarchs at the Mansion

July 15: AARP Oregon: Lower Southeast Rising Walk

July 16: New To Portland Northeast Ride

July 17: Concert in the Park: Vibra Quintet

July 17: Movies in the Park: Galaxy Quest

July 18: Councilor Avalos Constituent Day: Russell

July 18: Community Peace Collaborative

July 18: Movies in the Park: Despicable Me 4

July 19: Concert in the Park: Wamba

July 19: Movies in the Park: Won't You Be My Neighbor

More Events

Community events in Portland parks

Every Tuesday: Free Food Market at Mt. Scott Park

Every Thursday: Free Food Market at Lents Park

Every Thursday: Night Strike humanitarian outreach at Waterfront Park

Every Saturday: Free Food Market at Woodlawn Park

Every Sunday: Potluck in the Park at North Park Blocks

Volunteer events

Help us take care of our beautiful parks! Join a work party, tend a garden, meet people and build community. Check out our volunteer events..

Volunteer Events

Your Portland moment

Violinist and ukulele player jam together at a farmers market.

Catch the groove at one of Portland’s legendary farmers markets -- they're bursting with flavor. Meet friends, treat yourself to fresh local food and sample some great musical talent. Check out farmers markets in Portland.

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Take the Survey

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